Antoninus Pius, 138-161, Denarius

Antoninus Pius, Denarius, AR, AD 138–161 (struck AD 151–152), 2.68 g, 18 mm.

Rome mint. Obv. ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P XV; laureate head right. Rev. COS IIII; Spes standing left, holding flower and raising hem. Struck at Rome in the tribunician year XV (AD 151–152). Reference: RIC III 203. Antoninus Pius’ denarii dated TR P XV belong to the stable mid-reign phase of AD 151–152. The reverse legend COS IIII refers to his fourth consulship, attained in AD 145 and cited on his coinage thereafter. Types such as Spes conveyed an official message of continuity and expected prosperity under a ruler whose reign was marked by administrative regularity and limited military activity, with Rome’s mint producing large, standardized silver issues that circulated widely across the empire.